Cambodia has ordered Ghanaians and other Africans to leave the country by May 31, 2026 or face arrest.
According to reports, Cambodia is ending its immigration waiver for African nationals (including Ghanaians) on May 31, 2026.
Reports suggest that any African who remains in the country after that date faces arrest, up to 2 years imprisonment, and an $8,000 fine.
Authorities have warned that enforcement will be zero tolerance.
The statement issued by the immigration authority on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, read, “The Royal Government of Cambodia, through the General Department of Immigration, Ministry of Interior, wishes to inform all African nationals, including citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and others that the waiver granted to you will officially end on 31st of May 2026”.
“All foreign nationals whose fines have been cleared must leave Cambodia on or before 31st of May 2026. Any foreign national who enters, remains or is found in Cambodia from 1st of June 2026 will be arrested at the airport or at any location,” it continued.
“The Cambodia Police will start arresting any foreigner at any hideout in Cambodia from 1st of June 2026 for overstay and will hand over to the immigration authorities for legal action,” the statement stressed.
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation bordering Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
Some Ghanaians reacting to the news stated, “Amanehunu, abrebrese, nkukuhwiasi, nobody goes where they ain’t accepted, the Rat doesn’t casually pop out of its comfy lodgings, in a hot afternoon, obviously something or someone ’caused’ it, The narrative around the world is fix and brighten your own corner and stay therein”.
“Can we stop making this a personal issue? They mentioned Kenya and other countries, so why are we trying to make it seem like they’re against us or after us? Besides, they made it clear that if your time of stay is up and you’re still hanging around…”, a netizen added.
“It’s catching on. Now we have no option but to make our country work and hold leaders accountable!!!!”, a netizen added.
One X user added, “Why should you go to this country? Ghana is better than Cambodia 🇰🇭; it’s a war-torn country”.
The news comes at a time when the Government of Ghana has been evacuating Ghanaians living in South Africa over xenophobic attacks.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has disclosed that more evacuation flights from South Africa will take place next week.
In a statement on his X page, Ablakwa wrote, “Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah must be proud of us. More evacuation flights next week. For God and Country.”
His comments follow the 297 Ghanaians who were on board the initial flight and were met on arrival by senior government officials.
Ablakwa disclosed that among the first batch of 297 Ghanaians who arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Tuesday, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight, 26 of them were detained Ghanaians in South Africa.
Speaking to the evacuees during a reception ceremony at the airport, Mr Ablakwa said,
“We negotiated with the South African government that since we are evacuating our nationals, we don’t want to leave anybody behind in prison,” the Minister stated.
“So now, there is no Ghanaian in any South African prison for visa violations. We have brought all of them back home”.
“Today, the Mahama administration is demonstrating that wherever Ghanaians are, we will make sure you are protected, your dignity is respected, and we will go to the length of this world to bring you back home safely,” he said.
See the post below:
Cambodia is ending its immigration waiver for African nationals (including Ghanaians) on May 31, 2026. Anyone who remains in the country after that date faces arrest, up to 2 years imprisonment, and an $8,000 fine. Authorities have warned that enforcement will be zero-tolerance.… pic.twitter.com/1KnluipWHd
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 28, 2026
